US3981683A - Temperature responsive sterility indicator - Google Patents

Temperature responsive sterility indicator Download PDF

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Publication number
US3981683A
US3981683A US05/568,149 US56814975A US3981683A US 3981683 A US3981683 A US 3981683A US 56814975 A US56814975 A US 56814975A US 3981683 A US3981683 A US 3981683A
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United States
Prior art keywords
organic compound
indicator
compound
wicking means
strip
Prior art date
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Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US05/568,149
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English (en)
Inventor
Raymond P. Larsson
Robert J. Witonsky
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pymah Corp
Original Assignee
Bio Medical Sciences Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
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Application filed by Bio Medical Sciences Inc filed Critical Bio Medical Sciences Inc
Priority to US05/568,149 priority Critical patent/US3981683A/en
Priority to GB12576/76A priority patent/GB1539101A/en
Priority to MX164199A priority patent/MX143617A/es
Priority to CA249,747A priority patent/CA1059412A/en
Priority to JP51040178A priority patent/JPS51124487A/ja
Priority to DD192316A priority patent/DD124754A5/xx
Priority to IT48986/76A priority patent/IT1057534B/it
Priority to SE7604280A priority patent/SE411688B/xx
Priority to NL7603906A priority patent/NL7603906A/xx
Priority to IL49401A priority patent/IL49401A0/xx
Priority to DK170376AA priority patent/DK151369B/da
Priority to NO761275A priority patent/NO138749C/no
Priority to BR7602281A priority patent/BR7602281A/pt
Priority to ES446983A priority patent/ES446983A1/es
Priority to FR7610886A priority patent/FR2307544A1/fr
Priority to IE782/76A priority patent/IE42675B1/en
Priority to BE166166A priority patent/BE840749A/xx
Priority to DE2616366A priority patent/DE2616366C2/de
Priority to CH477476A priority patent/CH626652A5/de
Priority to DE7611756U priority patent/DE7611756U1/de
Publication of US3981683A publication Critical patent/US3981683A/en
Priority to AU12953/76A priority patent/AU501014B2/en
Assigned to INFO CHEM, INC. reassignment INFO CHEM, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: OAK HILL SPORTSWEAR CORPORATION A NY CORP.
Assigned to OAK HILL SPORTSWEAR CORPORATION reassignment OAK HILL SPORTSWEAR CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). SEPTEMBER 7, 1984 Assignors: BIO-MEDICAL SCIENCES, INC.
Assigned to PYMAH CORPORATION reassignment PYMAH CORPORATION MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE ON 01/04/1988 NEW JERSEY Assignors: INFO-CHEM INCORPORATED, PYMAH CORPORATION
Publication of US3981683B1 publication Critical patent/US3981683B1/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K3/00—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature
    • G01K3/02—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving means values; giving integrated values
    • G01K3/04—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving means values; giving integrated values in respect of time
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • A61L2/28—Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K11/00—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00
    • G01K11/06—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using melting, freezing, or softening
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N31/00—Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroup; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods
    • G01N31/22—Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroup; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods using chemical indicators
    • G01N31/226—Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroup; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods using chemical indicators for investigating the degree of sterilisation

Definitions

  • Such steam sterilization is generally carried out at temperatures of about 250°F. for at least 12 to 15 minutes or for shorter times at higher temperatures e.g. 270°F. Often, to insure a sufficient safety margin, times as long as 30 minutes are used. Such long sterilization times give the operator a greater degree of confidence that steam has penetrated throughout the autoclave and among all of its contents. However, such long heat cycles are disadvantageous from the standpoint of economy of time, energy consumption, and severe shortening of the useful life of the sterilized material, e.g., fabric gowns, drapes, muslim products etc.
  • the crudest variety is a product known as Temp-Tube, see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,313,266; 3,341,238; and 3,652,249.
  • the device consists of nothing more than a sealed tube containing a compound with a melting point which corresponds to the sterilization temperature.
  • the device is capable of doing no more than indicating whether or not the autoclave was held at a temperature above or below the melting point for a period of time once the melting point is reached. Hence, the device only indicates that the desired melting point temperature was reached for a period of time sufficient to melt the indicator.
  • sterility indicators rely on a temperature accelerated chemical reaction to cause color change in an indicator. Though some of these devices purport to be operative at more than one temperature/time condition, they suffer from the disadvantage that they do not match the spore kill temperature/time relationships.
  • the thermal resistance of spores of a particular species at any temperature is characterized by its temperature coefficient.
  • the symbol Q 10 is used to designate the temperature coefficient over a range of 10°C. It means the ratio of the death rate constant at a particular temperature to the death rate constant at a temperature 10°C. lower. Generally, the measurements are made for a fixed time interval, e.g., 9 minutes. If the constants at any two temperatures, t 1 , and a temperature 10°C.
  • a suitable sterility indicator which is dependent on the presence of moisture can be constructed using an organic compound having a melting point slightly higher than the sterility temperature to be monitored.
  • a pellet of the compound is placed on a backing in contact with a wick and covered with a transparent polymeric covering which protects the compound and wick from direct contact with steam, as well as maintains the integrity of the device.
  • the melting point of the organic compound must be depressed by the absorption of moisture into the pellet.
  • the cover film functions to control the rate of water vapor transmissions into the organic compound. Proper selection of organic compound and polymeric cover film determine the operative temperature as well as the time/temperature coefficient for the device.
  • Illustrative non-limiting examples of specific types of functional groups which when included in the structure of a compound results in useful organic compounds in the practice of this invention are aldehyde, carbonyl, ester keto, ether, hydroxy amino, amide, carboxy etc.
  • the organic compound should contain either oxygen or nitrogen.
  • FIG. I shows structural configuration of the sterility indicator.
  • FIG. II is a bar graph representation of the integrating effect of the sterility indicator.
  • FIG. III is a graphical comparison of the time/temperature coefficient of the indicator of this invention and spore kill.
  • This invention relates to a sterility indicator. More specifically, it relates to a sterility indicator capable of giving a visual response to the integrated time/temperature exposure of a system to moist heat.
  • FIG. 1 shows a typical structure for the sterility indicator of this invention.
  • a backing strip, 1, is coated with a thin layer of adhesive, 2, a wicking means, 3, is positioned on the backing strip with one end in communication with a pocket, 4, embossed into the backing strip, 1.
  • a pellet of organic compound, 5, is inserted into the pocket, 4, and in communication with the wicking means, 3.
  • a cover strip, 6, is then pressed in place on top of the device, the cover strip, 6, being adhesively bonded in place.
  • the composition of the backing strip is not critical. It, however, must be dimensionally stable at the process temperature being monitored. Although polymeric materials can be used, in order that they have substantial dimensional stability, they must be of a heavier guage than desired from the standpoint of economics and overall thickness of the device. Additionally, the embossing of the pocket requires the application of heat and pressure.
  • the preferred backing strip is metal foil, e.g., aluminum foil. Though the thickness of the foil is not critical, it is preferred that foil of about 1 to 5 mils is used e.g. 3 mils. Any of the polymers used as the cover strip can be used as the material of construction of the backing strip.
  • the backing strip in that event is preferable at least about 10 mils in thickness, more preferably about 20 to 30 mils.
  • the term "dimensionally stable" as used in the specifications and claims with reference to the backing strip means that the backing strip will not change dimensions by shrinkage, wrinkling etc. as a result of exposure to process temperatures.
  • the wicking means may be any suitable material through which the organic compound can migrate by capillary action.
  • the preferred wicking means is a paper strip.
  • Other such wicking means such as non-woven polymeric fabrics and inorganic fibrous compositions may be used.
  • the dimensions of the wicking means is not critical. However, its dimensions (thickness and width) will affect the rate of wicking and determine the quantity of organic compound required to result in a suitable scale length. Hence, from an economic standpoint the wicking means should be as thin as practical.
  • a suitable width for the wicking means is about 3/16 to about 1/4 of an inch.
  • wicking means Illustrative of the wicking means which may be used are Whatman No. 1 filter paper, Whatman No. 114 filter paper, supported microcrystalline cellulose (TLC plate), supported aluminum oxide, and supported silica gel.
  • the cover strip is a rate controlling film which permits moisture (gaseous) to pass through at a rate sufficient to depress the melting point of the organic compound to the sterilization temperature to be monitored.
  • the necessary vapor transmission rate will of course depend on the operating temperature and the organic compound selected.
  • the thickness of the cover strip film will of course effect the vapor transmission rate.
  • the film is about 0.75 to about 3 mils, more preferably about 1 to about 2 mils, e.g., 1.25 mils.
  • rate controlling when used in the specification and claim with respect to the cover strip means that the cover strip controls the water vapor transmission rate by virtue of its permeability to water vapor at the temperature to be monitored. No effort is made to determine the actual vapor transmission rate or in any other way to control the vapor transmission rate.
  • the first step is to select a cover strip and backing strip.
  • a cover strip and backing strip As a first choice aluminum foil is selected as the backing strip and polypropylene is selected as the cover strip.
  • the wicking means is, typically, conventional filter paper, e.g., Whatman -1 filter paper. It then is only necessary to select a suitable organic compound.
  • the organic compound in which water has at least a slight degree of solubility.
  • the compound selected should have a normal melting point about 5° to about 50°F. greater than the sterilization temperature to be monitored; more preferably, about 8° to about 40°F; most preferably, about 10° to about 30°F. greater than the temperature to be monitored, e.g., 20°F. greater.
  • control temperature means the temperature to be monitored for the process in question, e.g., sterilization, pasteurization, etc.
  • the compound should contain functional groups which will result in a degree of water solubility.
  • the functional groups which the organic compound must contain are aldehyde, carbonyl, ester, keto, ether, hydroxy, amino, amide, carboxy, phosphate, phosphonate sulfones, sulfate, sulfonate, etc.
  • R is H or alkyl preferably C 1 -C 4 alkyl and X is H, alkyl or alkylene.
  • X is H, alkyl or alkylene.
  • the alkyl or alkylene group is a C 1 -C 4 hydrocarbon.
  • the organic compounds of this invention are heterogenous compounds which must contain oxygen or nitrogen in the structure.
  • oxygen and nitrogen other non-reactive substituents may be included such as chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus, etc.
  • organic compound as used in the specification and claims means an organic compound containing in its structure at least one oxygen or nitrogen atom as well as carbon atoms. As stated above, other atoms can be included in the structure.
  • organic compounds suitable for use in the practice of this invention are 2-chloroacetamide, ethoxy benzamide, benzoic acid, diphenyl succinate, dichlorophenol, dimethyl phenol, benzamide, urea, 1,4 dihydroxybenzophenone, hydroquinone, dioxime, ethylene ester of toluene sulfonic acid, aslicylamide, and salicylic acid.
  • cover strip be adhered to the backing strip with an adhesive.
  • Heat sealing can be used instead of adhesives. Any adhesive for bonding polymers to metal or polymers to polymers can be used. The adhesive of course must be resistant to attack by the organic compound.
  • the preferred adhesives are silicone adhesives, e.g., General Electric Company's Sil Grip 574.
  • the term "bonding" or "bonded” as used in the specification and claims includes both heat sealing and adhesive lamination of the backing strip to the cover strip.
  • aluminum foil is used as the backing strip
  • polypropylene film is used as the rate controlling cover strip.
  • An organic compound having a normal melting point about 20-30°F. above the control point is selected.
  • a pocket or depression is embossed into the backing strip and a pellet of the organic compound is placed in the pocket.
  • the wicking means is aligned to the backing strip with a portion of one end under the pellet.
  • the backing strip is first coated with an adhesive material. Thus the pellet and wicking means will remain in place. The cover strip is then pressed in place.
  • the system is tested by placing it into a steam autoclave held at the control temperature and at the corresponding saturated steam pressure. After about twelve minutes the device is removed from the autoclave and observed. No additional wicking should occur after removal from the autoclave. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed additional wicking after removal from the autoclave or at temperatures below the control temperature are the result of supercooling or the formation of a supersaturated solution of water and organic compound which permits wicking below the control temperature.
  • a similar test specimen is prepared and tested at about 5°F. below the control temperature no wicking should occur. Additional tests should be conducted about 5°F. above and below the control temperature to determine the Q 10 value for the compound selected. Where it is desired to have a Q 10 which matches a particular process, e.g., spore kill, may be necessary to repeat the process with other organic compounds.
  • the Q 10 value is effected by the nature of the cover strip. For example whereas a sterility indicator which uses polypropylene as the rate controlling cover strip and ethoxy benzamide as the organic compound as a Q 10 of about 18. When mylar (polyethyleneglycol terephthalic acid ester) is used as the cover strip the Q 10 is about 4-5.
  • the dye may be applied to the initial portion (nearest the pellet of organic compound) of the wicking means. As the organic compound moves along the wick it picks up dyestuff and carries it along the wicking means.
  • Any suitable dye which is soluble in the organic compound may be used. Illustrative examples of such dyes are: methylene blue, crystal violet, malachite green, brilliant green, methyl violet and methyl green.
  • the organic compound is acid or basic it may be made visible by presaturating the wicking means with a suitable pH sensitive dye.
  • a suitable pH sensitive dye As the organic compound wicks along the wicking means it will cause a color response change in the pH sensitve dye.
  • pH sensitive dyes are phenol-phthalein, xylenol blue, Nile blue A, m-cresol purple, bromocresol green, thymol blue, bromophenol blue, alizarin, bromphenol red, methyl red, brilliant yellow, phenol red, etc.
  • Sterility Indicators were prepared using aluminum foil as the backing strip and Whatman No. 1 filter paper as the wicking means. The wick was about 1/4 inch ⁇ 4 inches. Pellets of organic compound were prepared using about 50 mg of compound. General Electric Companys' silicone adhesive Sil Grip 574 was used to bond the rate controlling cover strip to the backing, the adhesive being applied to the backing only.
  • the results for various time exposures at different temperatures are shown in terms of a bar graph in FIG. II.
  • the length of the bar represents the wicking distance for the time and temperature shown.
  • the vertical line shows the wicking distance required for 100% spore kill in a steam sterilization process.
  • the data presented demonstrates that the device of this invention is capable of intergrating the time/temperature exposure to a saturated steam atmosphere.
  • Example 2 The device of Example 2 was subjected to temperatures below 270°F, the normal melting point of ethoxy benzamide using an oil bath. No wicking occurred. The same experiment was repeated at temperatures as high as 275°F. Wicking was very slow as compared to in a steam atmosphere. These results show that the device of this invention is inoperative at normal sterilization temperatures in the absence of saturated steam. Under such conditions, therefore, the device would indicate inadequate sterilization.
  • FIG. 3 shows a comparison of the device of this invention as described in Example 3 against spore strips as a sterility indicator. It is noted that the time/temperature coefficient of the sterility indicator of this invention mimics spore kill. Furthermore, for a given temperature the safe reading for the recommended sterilization is always slightly more than the time required for spore kill. Hence, the device will fail safe if exposure times are insufficient.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
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  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By The Use Of Chemical Reactions (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Non-Biological Materials By The Use Of Chemical Means (AREA)
US05/568,149 1975-04-14 1975-04-14 Temperature responsive sterility indicator Expired - Lifetime US3981683A (en)

Priority Applications (21)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/568,149 US3981683A (en) 1975-04-14 1975-04-14 Temperature responsive sterility indicator
GB12576/76A GB1539101A (en) 1975-04-14 1976-03-29 Sterility indicator
MX164199A MX143617A (es) 1975-04-14 1976-04-07 Indicador de tiempo y temperatura para esterilizacion en autoclaves
CA249,747A CA1059412A (en) 1975-04-14 1976-04-07 Sterility indicator
JP51040178A JPS51124487A (en) 1975-04-14 1976-04-09 Sterilization indicator
DD192316A DD124754A5 (no) 1975-04-14 1976-04-12
IT48986/76A IT1057534B (it) 1975-04-14 1976-04-12 Indicatore di sterilita
SE7604280A SE411688B (sv) 1975-04-14 1976-04-12 Sterilitetsindikator for visuell indikering av integrerad tid-temperaturexponering i fuktig verme
BR7602281A BR7602281A (pt) 1975-04-14 1976-04-13 Indicador de esterilidade
IL49401A IL49401A0 (en) 1975-04-14 1976-04-13 Sterility indicator
DK170376AA DK151369B (da) 1975-04-14 1976-04-13 Sterilitetsindikator
NO761275A NO138749C (no) 1975-04-14 1976-04-13 Sterilitetsindikator.
NL7603906A NL7603906A (nl) 1975-04-14 1976-04-13 Werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van een steri- liteitsindicator.
ES446983A ES446983A1 (es) 1975-04-14 1976-04-13 Un indicador de esterilidad.
FR7610886A FR2307544A1 (fr) 1975-04-14 1976-04-13 Indicateur de sterilite
IE782/76A IE42675B1 (en) 1975-04-14 1976-04-13 Sterility indicator
DE7611756U DE7611756U1 (de) 1975-04-14 1976-04-14 Indikationsstreifen zur kennzeichnung von sterilisiervorgaengen
DE2616366A DE2616366C2 (de) 1975-04-14 1976-04-14 Sterilisationsindikator
CH477476A CH626652A5 (no) 1975-04-14 1976-04-14
BE166166A BE840749A (fr) 1975-04-14 1976-04-14 Indicateur de sterilite
AU12953/76A AU501014B2 (en) 1975-04-14 1976-11-12 Sterility indicator

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/568,149 US3981683A (en) 1975-04-14 1975-04-14 Temperature responsive sterility indicator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3981683A true US3981683A (en) 1976-09-21
US3981683B1 US3981683B1 (no) 1992-07-14

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US05/568,149 Expired - Lifetime US3981683A (en) 1975-04-14 1975-04-14 Temperature responsive sterility indicator

Country Status (20)

Country Link
US (1) US3981683A (no)
JP (1) JPS51124487A (no)
AU (1) AU501014B2 (no)
BE (1) BE840749A (no)
BR (1) BR7602281A (no)
CA (1) CA1059412A (no)
CH (1) CH626652A5 (no)
DD (1) DD124754A5 (no)
DE (2) DE7611756U1 (no)
DK (1) DK151369B (no)
ES (1) ES446983A1 (no)
FR (1) FR2307544A1 (no)
GB (1) GB1539101A (no)
IE (1) IE42675B1 (no)
IL (1) IL49401A0 (no)
IT (1) IT1057534B (no)
MX (1) MX143617A (no)
NL (1) NL7603906A (no)
NO (1) NO138749C (no)
SE (1) SE411688B (no)

Cited By (63)

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US4138216A (en) * 1977-12-23 1979-02-06 Bio-Medical Sciences, Inc. Device for monitoring ethylene oxide sterilization process
US4148748A (en) * 1976-11-02 1979-04-10 The Dow Chemical Company Nonreversible freeze-thaw indicator
US4154106A (en) * 1976-04-10 1979-05-15 Morishita Jintan Company, Limited Disposable clinical thermometer
US4188437A (en) * 1978-05-25 1980-02-12 American Can Company Thermotropic adhesive tape
US4195056A (en) * 1978-06-01 1980-03-25 Allied Chemical Corporation Vapor permeation time-temperature indicator
US4195055A (en) * 1978-06-01 1980-03-25 Allied Chemical Corporation Vapor-phase moving-boundary indicator
US4208186A (en) * 1978-08-30 1980-06-17 Allied Chemical Corporation Process for monitoring time-temperature histories of perishables utilizing inactive form of diacetylene
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US4276190A (en) * 1978-08-30 1981-06-30 Allied Chemical Corporation Process for monitoring time-temperature histories of perishables utilizing inactive form of diacetylene
US4289088A (en) * 1980-04-29 1981-09-15 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Co. Sterility indicating device
US4333339A (en) * 1980-03-21 1982-06-08 Akzona Incorporated Steam trap monitor
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US4345470A (en) * 1978-09-28 1982-08-24 Akzona Incorporated All plastic disposable thermometer
US4382063A (en) * 1979-09-10 1983-05-03 Parke-Davis Company Sterile indicator device
US4382700A (en) * 1980-10-14 1983-05-10 Youngren Fred R Shelf life indicator
US4404922A (en) * 1979-08-03 1983-09-20 L'oreal Ageing indicator
US4410493A (en) * 1981-05-11 1983-10-18 Sybron Corporation Indicator device for use in steam sterilization
EP0105420A1 (en) * 1982-09-24 1984-04-18 Arvey Corporation Steam sterilization indicator
US4579715A (en) * 1983-09-28 1986-04-01 Warner-Lambert Company Disposable sterilizer vacuum test pack
US4850716A (en) * 1987-11-20 1989-07-25 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Remotely detectable sterilization monitor
US5045283A (en) * 1988-08-02 1991-09-03 Jp Labs Inc. Moving boundary device for monitoring shelf-life of a perishable product
US5053339A (en) * 1988-11-03 1991-10-01 J P Labs Inc. Color changing device for monitoring shelf-life of perishable products
US5057433A (en) * 1987-02-27 1991-10-15 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Indicator elements for autoclaves
US5120137A (en) * 1991-03-29 1992-06-09 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Time and temperature indicating device
US5158363A (en) * 1991-08-16 1992-10-27 Propper Manufacturing Company, Inc. Steam sterilization indicator
US5204062A (en) * 1989-09-05 1993-04-20 Surgicot Incorporated Bowie-dick test device
US5378430A (en) * 1993-10-07 1995-01-03 Pymah Corporation Steam sterilization process monitor
WO1995024622A1 (en) * 1994-03-11 1995-09-14 Propper Manufacturing Company, Inc. Steam sterilization indicator
US5476792A (en) * 1994-04-05 1995-12-19 Temple Division, Air Liquide America Corporation Time-temperature indicator devices
US5486459A (en) * 1989-12-14 1996-01-23 Medical College Of Ohio Biologically relevant methods for the rapid determination of sterility
US5487352A (en) * 1994-09-21 1996-01-30 John R. Williams Temperature indicator for cooked meats
US5518763A (en) * 1992-05-28 1996-05-21 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Method of making indicator tapes
US5667303A (en) * 1995-03-10 1997-09-16 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Time-temperature integrating indicator device
US5745039A (en) * 1997-02-21 1998-04-28 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Remote sterilization monitor
US6042264A (en) * 1995-10-23 2000-03-28 Lifelines Technology, Inc. Time-temperature indicator device and method of manufacture
WO2001088516A1 (en) * 2000-05-18 2001-11-22 Spectra Systems Corporation Color change by evaporation for food and beverage and organ protection
US6485978B1 (en) 1999-08-05 2002-11-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of using a chemical indicator
US6488890B1 (en) 1999-08-05 2002-12-03 3M Innovative Properties Company Machine readable sterilization indicator for monitoring articles to be sterilized
US6504161B1 (en) 1999-09-10 2003-01-07 Sunspots, Inc. Radiation indicator device
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CN102271717A (zh) * 2008-11-06 2011-12-07 3M创新有限公司 过程验证设备和方法
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IE42675L (en) 1976-10-14
DE7611756U1 (de) 1976-11-25
DK151369B (da) 1987-11-30
FR2307544A1 (fr) 1976-11-12
NL7603906A (nl) 1976-10-18
GB1539101A (en) 1979-01-24
DE2616366C2 (de) 1986-09-11
DD124754A5 (no) 1977-03-09
SE411688B (sv) 1980-01-28
NO138749B (no) 1978-07-31
NO761275L (no) 1976-10-15
AU501014B2 (en) 1979-06-07
SE7604280L (no) 1976-10-15
DK170376A (da) 1976-10-15
US3981683B1 (no) 1992-07-14
MX143617A (es) 1981-06-11
NO138749C (no) 1978-11-08
FR2307544B1 (no) 1979-08-31
ES446983A1 (es) 1977-06-01
IE42675B1 (en) 1980-09-24
AU1295376A (en) 1977-10-20
IT1057534B (it) 1982-03-30
DE2616366A1 (de) 1976-10-28
CA1059412A (en) 1979-07-31
CH626652A5 (no) 1981-11-30
JPS5522752B2 (no) 1980-06-18
IL49401A0 (en) 1976-06-30
BR7602281A (pt) 1976-10-05
JPS51124487A (en) 1976-10-29
BE840749A (fr) 1976-08-02

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